Cultivator



u y 1953 T. J. DENNING 7 2,546,738

' CULTIVATOR Filed June 18, 1951 I INVENZOR. 77201120: [Den/7mg 1 6;BY v

H TTOE NEYS Patented July 28, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,646,738 CULTIVATOR Thomas J. Denning, Hudson, Colo. Application June 18, 1951, Serial N0. 232,164

' 7 Claims. (01. sir- 198.1)

This invention relates to improvement in cultivators and more particularly to cultivators for use with tractors equipped with power lift traction links such as shown by the patent to Ferguson, No. 2,118,180, granted May 24, 1938, the present subject matter being a division of my copending application, Serial No; 68,487, filed December- 31, 1948, now Patent No. 2,562,486, granted July 31, 1951.

Cultivators which have been hitherto provided for tractors of the type referred to have certain disadvantages among which are thedificulty in making desired adjustments of the tools on the cultivator frame, and achieving optimum traction characteristics under all conditions'of adjustment of the tools. Y

One of the objects of this invention is to pro vide a cultivator in which certain adjustments of various parts may be accurately and expeditiously made.

Another object is to provide a cultivator with an improved steering fin assembly.

A further object is to provide the cultivator with tool clamps which render adjustment of the tools more simple.

Another object is to provide novel means for adjusting the main frame members about their longitudinal axes to vary the downpitch of the cultivator sweeps.

Still'further objects, advantages, and salient features will become apparent from a consideration of the description to follow, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a rear perspective of the central portion of the cultivator;

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective of a rear portion of the cultivator, as viewed in the direction of arrow 2, Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on line 3-3, Figure 2; V

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken substantially on line 4-4, Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken on line 5-5, Figure 2; and

Figure 6 is a vertical section similar to Figure 4 showing the parts in a different position of adjustment.

Referring in detail to the drawing, and particularly Figure 1, the main frame of the cultivator is formed of two square tubular tool frame members H], II secured together in paralle1 relation by angle iron members 14, 55, adjacent the center thereof. These members are each secured to the frames IO, M, as best shown in F ur s 2 and by a of bolts l 6, it extend- 2 v ing through the horizontal flange of the angle member and through similar holes in a strap or bar 11, extending across the lower face of each main frame member, nuts 18 being provided thereon to effect securement. The holes Ilia are preferably square to receive the square shank of a carriage bolt so that the bolts will be precluded from turning. An arcuate saddle and saddle plate construction l9, lea, is interposed between each angle iron and frame member-so that the frame members may be adjusted to various positions about their longitudinal axes; This is achieved by loosening one of the nuts l8 and tightening the other. The upper part I Set of the saddle is provided with apertured ears 191) which extend laterally and through which the'bolts l6 extend, thus preventing the upper part from moving in a horizontal plane relative to member 14. An elongated aperture I is also provided in thisipart which receives a projection I901 on the lower part l9. This latter construction prevents'part H] from becoming dis located from part [9a when the angle iron mem ber'l4 is moved longitudinally of frame II when effecting adjustment. The same construction is employed at all of-the points of affixation of member [4,15 tomember'lll, II and any other cross members (not shown) which extend between members H], II, at points-outwardly thereof,'such'as shown in the above identified copending application. Figure 6' illustrates "a position of adjustment wherein one of the frames has been angularly adjusted counter-clockwise from the position shown in Figure 4. This adjustment varies the downpitch or angle of the tools attached to the frame, for a purpose which will hereinafter appear,

' The main frame, just described, is connected to the tractor by strut assembly 20 and certain other members which will now be described. The strut assembly 28 is formed of an A frame havinga pair of vertical members 2!, 22, secured at their lower ends to a base member 23 as by welding. Another A frame has a pair of strut members 24, 25 which are bolted at their upper ends to the upperends, of struts 2|, 22, and diverge as they extend rearwardly and down- Wardly, their lower ends being bolted to another base member 26 bybolts 21. Base members 23 and 25 are provided with a plurality of spaced holes 28 adjacent their ends through which bolts extend to secure angle irons l4 and I5 thereto. This provides a connection between the A frames which permits selectivity of the positions of angle irons I4, l5 along the main frame members 10 3 and H, for a purpose which will hereinafter appear.

The A frames are secured to the tractor by a pair of lower hitch links 36, 31, and an upper hitch link 32, which are conventional parts provided on a tractor of the type previously mentioned. The front ends of the lower hitch links 30, 3| are pivoted to the tractor and suitable links (not shown) are provided to .raise or lower the rear ends of the hitch links by power derived from the tractor and also position them as desired within their range of movement. The front end of the upper link is also pivoted to the tractor by a rockable link which is spring urged to actas a safety device in event the cultivator .tools strike rocks or the like. Since the hitch links and-manner of operating same are conventional and form no part of the invention, and are shown in the patent referred to above, illustration of these details is deemed unnecessary.

The upper ends of struts El, 22 are provided with a plurality of holes 3'3 through which a pin extends for connecting the upper ends of the A frames to the upper hitch link 32 in various .positions of adjustment. A plurality-of pins 34 extend laterally from the lower ends of the strut members and lower hitch links 30, 31 maybe secured thereto also in various positions of adjustment for a purpose hereinafter set forth. To add rigidity to the lower end of these struts, a cross member 35 is interposed therebetween.

The square solid tool shanks '38 are each adjustably secured to the frame member it! or II by a ,U-shaped member 39 having square holes 48 in the legs of the U through which the shank 38 extends. The bight of the U is threaded and receives a Thandle screw 41 which is shouldered at Ma and secured to a pressure plate 42 by riveting the end of the screw 41b into a suitable countersunk hole, as shown in Figure 5, the screw, of course, being free to turn in the pressure plate. When this screw is loosened, the U-member may be moved to a desired position on the frame and the shank '38 may also be moved vertically to a ,desired position. Tightening of this screw effects securement of both of the adjustments described.

The lower ends of certain of these shanks are provided with integral sweeps, also sometimes called duck feet, points, or shovels. Others are provided with harrow disks. As best shown in Figure 2, these harrow disks may be adjusted about the axes of the shanks. The lower ends of the square shanks have a circular portion upon which i mounted a member 43 which is clamped to the circular portion by a U bolt 44. Member 43 carries any type of harrow disk. The lower ends of the shanks may, of course, carry various tools other than the ones shown and described, or in different arrangements, combinations, or spacings along the frame members, depending upon the particular operation to be performed, which may be crop cultivating, field cultivating, or other ground conditioning.

For the purpose of preventing side sway of the cultivator, adding stability thereto, and making it accurately follow the direction of the tractor, a rolling fin 49 is attached to the rear frame member l I. This fin is a metal disk rotatably mounted in a U-shaped bracket 50, the bight of the U being suitably secured, as by welding, to a shank 51, similar to tool shanks 38. To each leg of the bracket a scraper 52 is secured, these scrapers serving to remove any surplus material which clings to the face of the fin. A guard 53 covers the upper portion of the fin to protect P 39 5 4 who might otherwise be injured by contact therewith. This guard is welded to the bracket adjacent the bight and braced by straps 54, 55, the ends of which are secured to the guard and legs of the U-bracket.

An adjustment for the position of the fin relative to the frame i also provided. This consists of a clamp member 56, as best shown in Figures 2 and 3, which is secured to frame H in a manner similarto that described for the tool shanks. A pair of screw members 51 and pressure plates 58 ,are provided, rather than a single screw as previously described. These screws are disposed laterally of shank 38 and the entire clamp member 56 may be rotated about a vertical axis by loosening oneof the screws 57 and tightening the other.

Screws 5.? :are provided with slidable handles 59 to that they may be operated without the use of any tools such as a wrench. The slidable handles provide an expedient means to obtain sufficient leverage on the screws and yet permit the screw heads to be turned in the close quarters on the clamp member 56.

The rear portion of the clamp member is hollow and carries four triangular blocks id as shown in Figure 3. A screw SI and pressure plate 62, forces one pair of the blocks toward the other pair, the shank 5| being interposed therebetween. To install these blocks, they are inserted through the square hole of the bracket member and moved to the position shown in Figure 3. When in this position, the upper and lower walls of the clamp member prevent vertical movement of the blocks, andthe walls 55a, 58b, and shank 5| prevent lateral movement thus securing the blocks within the hollow rear portion of clamp member 56.

In operation of the device, tools are applied to the frame members, the type of tools, their spacing, and number, being chosen according to the particular type of ground engaging operation desired. The distance which the tools will operate below the ground surface is determined by the distance they project beyond the lower surfaces of support wheels carried by the main frame (not shown). The distance which the tools project below the frame will depend upon the particular operation. If it be cultivation of beans, beets, peas, or other crop which grows only a relatively short distance above the ground, the tools will project a relatively short distance below the frame. If it be corn or other crop, however, which grows a higher distance above the ground, the tools will project further from the frame to clear the top of the crop at it passes over it. After the desired projection of the tools has been determined and the tools set accordingly, frame supporting wheels (not shown) will then be adjusted to obtain the des ed depth of cut of the tools. The hitch links are then connected to one of the'three sets of'pins and holes 23, the set chosen being such that the hitch links will be disposed in a silghtly downwardly inclined position, that is, with the rear ends of the links slightly lower than the front ends where they are pivoted to the tractor. The proper choice of one of the three sets will usually place the links at an angle which is at or near optimum; however, if a more accurate adjustment is desired, the tools and wheels may be adjusted so that the frame will be slightly higher or lower which, in effect, will provide any adjustment intermediate the sets. The spaced holes and pins may also be increased in number, if desired, to provide a more critical selection of the hitch link angle and, if desired, slots may be provided for the shouldered pins 34 so that'they are universally adjustable within the range of adjustment. As will be apparent, a similar connection may also be provided at the top of the A frame to receive the top hitch link.

Farming implements of the particular type disclosed have not hitherto been provided with the adjustment described. The projection of the tools could, of course, be chosen for a low or high crop, which thus positioned the frame of the implement low or high above the ground as in this invention. These prior devices, however, had only one position on the A frame to which the hitch links could be attached. This necessarily varied the hitch link angle depending upon the height of the frame above the ground. The present invention is to be distinguished from these devices since it provides for maintaining the hitch links at an optimum angle regardless of the height of the implement frame above the ground.

The importance of the link angle just referred to will now be set forth. The down pitch of the sweeps not only changes the nature of the furrow, but also changes the forces applied to the hitch links and to the tractor and tractor wheels. It will be observed that the lower hitch links are attached to the frame considerably above the ground. When the sweeps dig into the ground, there is a tendency for the frame to rotate in a direction such that the top of the A frame moves toward the tractor. This, therefore, applies a force to the top hitch link which tends to force the front wheels of the tractor into the ground. The tendency of the sweeps to dig in also exerts a downward force on the lower hitch links which tends to force the rear wheels of the tractor into the ground. The amount and distribution on the forces on the front and rear wheels depends on the hitch link angle and hence if this angle cannot be chosen at an optimum for all heights of the implement frame above the ground, the versatility of the equipment is, of course, impaired. One of the principal purposes of applying the forces to the wheels of the tractor is to obtain increased traction of the tractor, which effects greater traction ability with a light weight tractor. The magnitude of the forces must be accurately applied to the wheels under all conditions of implement adjustment so that steering of the tractor is not impaired as, for example, by excessive pressure on the front wheels. The forces above mentioned may be determined, as desired, by the depth of cut and also the down pitch angle of the sweeps. This down pitch angle is changed by rotating the frames H], H about their longitudinal axes with nuts l8.

As previously mentioned, the rolling fin adds stability to the cultivator so that it follows the tractor without sway. This sway is caused by the unevenness of the ground and the looseness of the linkage between the tractor and cultivator. To eliminate this sway the rolling fin which enters the ground tothe rear of the sweep which is disposed immediately ahead of it, must be accurately adjusted relative to the frame. The clamp member 56, as previously described, may be rotated relative to the frame, thus changing the relative position of the rolling fin to the frame. The screws provide a delicate and accurate adjustment for the fin position, since one screw 51 may be loosened slightly and the other screw tightened a like amount.

By placing the rolling fin behind the rear frame, it also has a much greater leverage on the main frame than if it were placed at the front of the frame near the traction links as has been customary in the prior art. Heretofore, it was not possible to dispose the fin in alignment with a tool while the sweep and tool were attached to the same frame member. Since the bracket 56 of this invention serves to secure both a tool and the fin to the main frame at the same position with the tool and fin in alignment, this objection has been obviated.

In cultivators of the type described as heretofore provided, the A frame has beenconne'cted to the main frame in such manner that the entire length of the main frame members could not be utilized for tools. Thus, if members 14, i5 were secured to the main frame in a fixed position, it would not be possible to place a tool at the point of afiixation. This, of course, limits the versatility of the cultivator since a particular operation may call for placing tools at these points of afiixation. With the present invention the point of affixation of members l4, I5 may be varied because of the provision of the plurality of holes 28. If, for example, it were desired to place a tool at the point of aifixation as the parts are connected to Figure 2, the members I4, l5 would be moved toward each other to another set of holes. Since a desired tool spacing will seldom, if ever, be closer than the Width of one of the U-tool clamps, this renders the entire length of frame members [0, ll available for placing tools thereon. 7

Having described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. A farming implement comprising; an elongated frame, tools secured to the frame, means for moving the frame over the ground in a direction transverse to its longitudinal axis, a ground engaging fin for stabilizing the direction of movement of the implement, a vertically extending rectangular shank secured to the fin, a clamp member having a rectangular socket for receiving the shank in different positions of vertical adjustment, means associated with said clamp member for securing it to the frame in various positions of adjustment about a vertical axis, comprising triangular blocks positioned in the corners of the socket with one side in engagement with the shank and means comprising a threaded member in operative engagement with two of the blocks whereby the fin may be adjusted relative to the frame.

2. An implement in accordance with claim 1 wherein the clamp member is provided with a pair of apertured legs straddling the frame, for receiving a shank engageable with the frame, and means for rotating the clamp member about the shank.

3. An implement in accordance with claim 2 wherein the shank carries a tool in alignment with the fin whereby the fin engages the ground in a furrow made by the tool.

4. In a cultivator of the type having an elongated substantially horizontal frame member adapted to be moved over the ground in a direction substantially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, the improvement comprising; a clamp device adapted to be disposed on said frame member having upper and lower legs adapted to straddle same, aligned apertures in the legs, a member extending through the apertures having a portion adapted to engage a portion of the frame member, means carried by the clamp device for securing it and said member to the frame in various positions of adjustment along the frame member and also for securing the clamp member to the trame member in various positions of angular adjustment about a vertical axis, socket means. on said clamp device, a rectangular downwardly extending shank disposed in the socket means, four triangular blocks forming a part of thesocket means engaging the shank, screw and pressure plate means engaging a pair of the blocks.- for urging the shank against the other pair of blocks, a rolling disc-like fin rotatably secured-to the lower end of the shank, a guard disposed over the fin, and scrapers for removing material which clings to the side faces of the fin.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said member is provided with a ground engaging, tool at its lower end, adapted to engage the ground ahead of the fin.

6. an agricultural implement of the type having a frame adapted to be moved over the ground, comprising; a substantially vertically extending shank having a ground engaging tool at its. lower end, a second shank having a fin at its lower end adapted to follow in ground broken by the ground engaging tool, means for indi-- vidually adjusting said shanks relative to the frame in-a substantially vertical direction, whereby the depth of the fin in broken ground may be varied and the distance of the fin and ground engaging tool below the frame may also be varied, means for angularly adjusting said. secondshank about a substantially vertical axis, and means for adjusting both shanks as a unit about References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 804,105 Doolen Nov. 7, 1905 818,839 Love Apr. 24, 1906 1,097,299 Carlson May 19, 1914 1,171,886 Ray Feb. 15, 1916' 1,734,408 Thompson Nov. 5, 1929 1,740,841 Smith Dec. 24, 1929 1,765,143 Fojtik June 17, 1930 1,812,904 Smith July 7, 1931 1,831,576 Petersen Nov. 10, 1931 2,029,249 Noell et al Jan. 28, 1936 2,029,250 Noell et a1 Jan. 28, 1936 2,041,616 Noell et al May 19, 1936 2,385,950 Silver Oct. 2, 1945 2,487,847 Bowen Nov. 15, 1949 2,562,486 Denning July 31, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 917,848 France Sept. 23, 1946 12,792 Great Britain July 13, 1888 572,487 Great Britain Oct. 10, 1945 

